Stress Impacts Most Diseases

October 13, 2024 Health & Healing, Stressional Intelligence No Comments

Over decades of research, the link between stress and diseases has become undeniable, influencing both mental and physical health. Stress alters the body’s emotional, behavioral, and neurohormonal systems, which in turn affect vital organs such as the heart and brain, as well as systems like the immune and cardiovascular systems.

This blog explores various ways stress impacts major diseases such as depression, cardiovascular disease, infectious diseases, and cancer, backed by scientific research. This may give an idea of the ubiquitousness of stress impacting many kinds of diseases while being far from exhaustive.

Mechanisms through which stress affects disease

Affective Regulation

Stress can significantly disrupt emotional regulation, increasing the likelihood of developing depression, anxiety, and other affective disorders. Studies show that stressful life events strongly predict the onset of these conditions, which are also risk factors for other diseases (Gotlib & Joormann, 2010; Hammen, 2016).

For example, stress triggers heightened anxiety and fear, which may eventually result in more serious conditions like major depressive disorder (Kendler et al., 2000).

Health Behaviors

When people are under stress, they often engage in unhealthy behaviors such as overeating, smoking, drinking, and neglecting exercise. These poor habits worsen physical health, increasing the risk of diseases like cardiovascular disease (Steptoe & Kivimaki, 2013).

Moreover, sleep disturbances caused by stress can also undermine health, further accelerating disease progression (McEwen, 2012).

Neurohormonal Changes

Stress triggers the release of hormones such as cortisol and norepinephrine, which, when elevated over time, can disrupt immune function, metabolism, and even organ function (Steptoe & Kivimaki, 2013).

This dysregulation may lead to health issues such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and increased vulnerability to infections (Dimsdale, 2008).

Autonomic Nervous System

Stress activates the sympathetic nervous system, heightening the body’s “fight or flight” response.

This leads to an increase in norepinephrine and other stress hormones that directly affect the body’s vital organs. Prolonged activation of this system can damage the heart, arteries, and other parts of the body (Dimsdale, 2008).

Stress and specific diseases

Depression

Stress has been consistently shown to play a critical role in the development of depression. Individuals exposed to major stressful life events are significantly more likely to develop symptoms of depression. In fact, individuals who experience stress are 2.5 to 9.4 times more likely to have a major depressive episode, making stress one of the strongest predictors of depression (Kendler et al., 2000; Monroe et al., 2009).

Moreover, stress not only triggers depression but also increases the severity of symptoms and the likelihood of recurrence (Monroe et al., 2009).

Cardiovascular Disease

Chronic stress increases the risk of cardiovascular disease by contributing to central obesity, high blood pressure, and dysregulated lipid and glucose levels. Stress also induces inflammation, a key player in the development of heart disease.

Prospective studies confirm that individuals facing chronic stress are at higher risk of developing cardiovascular diseases, and that stress hastens the progression of these diseases, increasing mortality rates (Steptoe & Kivimaki, 2013). Even acute stress events, such as emotional trauma or loss, can trigger cardiac events like heart attacks or arrhythmias in vulnerable individuals (Dimsdale, 2008).

Infectious Diseases

Stress weakens the immune system, making it more difficult for the body to fend off infections. Studies have shown that individuals exposed to high levels of stress are more likely to develop illnesses like the common cold after exposure to viruses (Cohen et al., 2016).

Moreover, individuals with chronic stress are more susceptible to severe infections like HIV/AIDS, with stressors accelerating disease progression and increasing mortality (Leserman, 2008).

Cancer

The relationship between stress and cancer is complex and less consistently demonstrated than for other diseases. However, studies suggest that stress influences cancer progression. For example, high stress levels have been associated with poorer cancer outcomes and higher mortality rates in cancer patients (Chida et al., 2008).

Although the link between stress and cancer initiation remains inconclusive, the evidence supporting stress’s role in worsening cancer prognosis is growing (Antoni et al., 2006).

The role of Lisa in disease prevention and management

Stress not only triggers or worsens diseases, but it also subtly erodes health long before any symptoms appear. Lisa, as a mental coach, plays a crucial role in both managing the psycho-somatic effects of stress and preventing stress-related diseases in the first place. Using autosuggestion, Lisa helps individuals address deep-seated stress patterns, promoting resilience and well-being. The proactive management of stress through coaching reduces the risk of long-term damage to health.

Lisa’s approach works on an inner level, helping clients reshape their relationship with stress. This is not just about symptom management — it’s about creating sustainable mental and physical health through prevention. This aspect of Lisa’s role is explored further in “Lisa Coaching as Disease Prevention.”

Through coaching, guided autosuggestion, and stress management, Lisa offers a comprehensive approach to mitigating the harmful effects of stress, ultimately helping individuals lead healthier lives.

References

Antoni, M. H., Lutgendorf, S. K., Blomberg, B., Lechner, S., Carver, C. S., & Cole, S. W. (2006). Cognitive-behavioral stress management reverses anxiety-related leukocyte transcriptional dynamics. Biological Psychiatry, 60(3), 279-289.
Chida, Y., & Steptoe, A. (2008). The impact of stress on cancer progression: A meta-analysis. Psychological Science, 19(3), 257-265.
Cohen, S., Janicki-Deverts, D., & Miller, G. E. (2007). Psychological stress and disease. JAMA, 298(14), 1685-1687.
Cohen, S., Murphy, M. L., & Prather, A. A. (2016). Ten surprising facts about stressful life events and disease risk. Annual Review of Psychology, 70, 577-597.
Dimsdale, J. E. (2008). Psychological stress and cardiovascular disease. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 51(13), 1237-1246.
Gotlib, I. H., & Joormann, J. (2010). Cognition and depression: Current status and future directions. Annual Review of Clinical Psychology, 6, 285-312.
Hammen, C. (2016). Depression and stress: Cognitive vulnerabilities and life stressors. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 125(4), 564-573.
Kendler, K. S., Karkowski, L. M., & Prescott, C. A. (2000). Stressful life events and major depression: Risk period, long-term contextual threat, and diagnostic specificity. Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 188(12), 732-740.
Leserman, J. (2008). Role of depression, stress, and trauma in HIV disease progression. Psychosomatic Medicine, 70(5), 539-545.
McEwen, B. S. (2012). The end of stress as we know it: Implications for health and disease. Journal of Health Psychology, 17(2), 237-251.
Monroe, S. M., Slavich, G. M., & Georgiades, K. (2009). The social environment and stress-related depression. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 4(3), 268-285.
Steptoe, A., & Kivimaki, M. (2013). Stress and cardiovascular disease: Mechanisms and risk factors. Psychosomatic Medicine, 75(4), 413-419.